My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding her

is so

and a paper

and pulled some candles out of a box to the side.

the head of the group, which happened to be a little girl in pigtails, immediately

the ‘Happy

her eyes and make a

blow out

indicate to Julian that there was

the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

in your

she found a little girl who wasn’t

gentled and, under the gazes of the children, clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out

say thank you!” their

their paper plates, the children raced off, dabbing icing on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed closer and the whole scene

light of the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for

to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take

as well pretend it never existed

the topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure to keep

and

she was inside her apartment and about to

loud slam, the door was propped open by a large

glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the centipede-like scar

on business?

explaining himself, he slid sideways into the house and

been getting along fine

two steps

her resentfully, he stalked toward her as he pulled off his necktie and

you wouldn’t want me to ruin your blissful

step he approached her,

Rachel had no idea what she did

of her arm and pulled, she staggered after him and was dragged all the way to